Blueberries boost children’s reaction times by nine per cent, a study found.
Researchers believe this is due to the fruit containing a specific antioxidant, known as flavonoids.
Previous research reveals flavonoids boost communication between nerve cells and aid brain cell regeneration.
Study author Professor Claire Williams from the University of Reading, said: ‘We used blueberries as they are rich in flavonoids, which are compounds found naturally in foods such as fruits and their juices, vegetables and tea.
‘They have been associated with a range of health benefits including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and our latest findings continue to show that there is a beneficial cognitive effect of consuming fruit and vegetables, tea, coffee and even dark chocolate which all contain flavonoids.’
Blueberries boost children’s reaction times by nine per cent, a study found (stock)
How the research was carried out
The researchers analysed 21 children aged between seven and 10 years old.
The study’s participants consumed 30g of freeze dried blueberry powder before being tested on their cognitive ability three hours later.
Cognitive ability was assessed by having the children look at a selection of arrows on a screen and press a key that corresponds to the central arrow’s direction.
The task became progressively harder by varying the speed the arrows appeared and whether there were additional arrows either side of the main one pointing in different directions.
Improve reaction times by 9%
Findings reveal eating blueberries improves children’s reaction times by nine per cent without hindering their game result accuracy.
The researchers believe this is due to the fruit containing antioxidants known as flavonoids.
Previous research suggests flavonoids increase communication between nerve cells and boost brain cell regeneration.
Professor Williams said: ‘We used wild blueberries as they are rich in flavonoids, which are compounds found naturally in foods such as fruits and their juices, vegetables and tea.
‘They have been associated with a range of health benefits including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and our latest findings continue to show that there is a beneficial cognitive effect of consuming fruit and vegetables, tea, coffee and even dark chocolate which all contain flavonoids.’
The findings were published in the journal Food & Function.